Flexible sleeve for rubbing machines



Jan; 2 1945- s, A. CiROS BY 2,393,592

FLEXIBLE SLEEVE FOR RUBBING MACHINES Filed Oct. 1 8, 1944 flaezzzon Kzzzij.

Patented Jan. 29, 1946 2,393,592 FLEXIBLE SLEEVE FOR RUBBING MACHINESStephen A. Crosby, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Sterling Tool ProductsCompany, a. corporation of Illinois Application October 18, 1944, SerialNo. 559,176 4 Claims. (01. 51-110) This invention relates to flexiblesleeves adapted to connect movable parts and prevent oil and dirt frompassing through the connection. The invention relates more particularlyto an improved flexible sleeve adapted for use 011 rubbing or abradingmachines where one of the parts moves at a high rate of speed withrespect to the other.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved sleevewhich will not wrinkle excessively and will have a long working life.The improved flexible sleeve is particularly adapted for use in arubbing machine of the type shown in my application Serial No. 504,855,filed October 4, 1943, for a rubbing machine.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevationalview of the lower portion of a rubbing machine on which the improvedflexible sleeve has been installed; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional viewtaken as indicated at line 2-2 of Fig. l; and Fig. 3, a perspective viewof the sleeve.

In the embodiment illustrated, a rubbing machine has a supporting frame4 on which is mounted in spaced relation for orbital movement a drivinghead 5, to which may be secured a rubbing pad 6. A counterpoise I ismounted between the driving head and supporting frame, to be driven inout of phase relation with respect to the driving head, so as to balanceout vibration forces when the machine is operated at high speed.

In the embodiment illustrated, the lower por tion of the supportingframe and the driving head are substantially rectangular in plan, andthe driving head has a perimetral dove-tail edge 8, to which the lowerportion of the flexible sleeve 9 may be attached. The supporting frameis shown with an outwardly extending flange In, over which the upperedge of the flexible sleeve may be snapped, and preferably the frame hasa downwardly extending hood II, which will enclose the upper portion ofthe flexible sleeve. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the flexible sleeve9 has a molded perimetral slot 12, which fits tightly over the flange 8on the driving head and may be cemented thereto. Its top portion has anoutwardly extending flange I3, which serves to close the space betweenthe supporting frame 4 and the hood I I.

When the driving head makes its orbital movement with respect to thesupporting frame, the closure sleeve which preferably is made of rubber,synthetic or natural, must accommodate itdrive head in connection toextend completely around self to the movement. It has been found thatthis action normally wrinkles the sleeve, and may cause the centralportion of the sleeve to rub against the bottom edge of the hood I I.Most of this wrinkling effect is eliminated by the present construction,wherein a longitudinally extending rib I4 is molded on the inner face ofthe sleeve, so as to be coextensive with the two longer sides of therectangle. These integrally formed ribs have been found to greatlylengthen the life of the sleeve, and enable the lateral portions of thecounterpoise to be sealed in, so that dust and dirt will not enterbetween the parts, and oil will not leak out.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled inthe art.

I claim:

1. In a rubbing machine having a supporting frame and a drive headmounted for movement with respect to the frame, a flexible closurebetween said head and frame comprising: a perimetral sleeve ofrubber-like material having a head portion adapted to grip tightly thelower portion of the supporting frame and a base portion to grip themarginal edge portion of the drive head, said sleeve having alongitudinally extending rib near the central portion of the sleeve toreduce wrinkling when the head is moved with respect to the frame.

2. A flexible closure sleeve as specified in claim 1, in which its baseportion is shaped to make a dove-tail connection with the marginal edgeportion of the drive head, said dove-tail the drive head.

3. In a rubbing machine: a supporting frame, a drive head mounted fororbital movement with respect to said frame, a counterpoise disposedbetween said frame and drive head, means on the frame for driving saidcounterpoise and out of phase relation, and a flexible sleeve forming a.lateral closure for the counterpoise and making a liquid tightconnection with marginal portions of the driving head and lower portionof the frame, said sleeve having an integrally formed longitudinal ribon its inner face near its central portion to reduce wrinkling.

4. Apparatus as specified in claim 3, in which the supporting frame anddrive head are substantially rectangular in plan and the rib extendsinwardly from each of the longer sides of the rectangular sleeve.

STEPHEN A. CROSBY.

